Needing your opinions!

Yes, I am still alive.  After the trip to MO, I got one of the worst summer colds ever.  I'm just now recovering, but that is not the only reason for not blogging.  This is:

Meet our new dog.  We looked through tons (I really mean tons) of dogs online.  This one happened to be the first one my son noticed.  I just couldn't talk him into any other dog.  So off we went to the pound to meet her.  My son and daughter instantly fell in love.  So long story short, she is now ours.  Fleas and all!  Needless to say, we have been adjusting to caring for an animal (without fins).

The only thing I have been doing is trying to change up a few things.  This is where you come in.  I really would like your opinion.  So, please, please, let me have it:) 

First, I have been wanting to change up my mantle for a while.  So this is what I have come up with thus far. 

Okay, first does the urns like nuts with the candles on top of the moss.  I tried to replicate a similar look from a magazine but it doesn't seem to look quite the same.  So, should I take off the candles leaving just the moss, leave it as is, or put something else in the urns?  Second, the empty frame.  I've just leaned it up against the wall but would hang it.  It was suggested to put something inside the frame.  How do you guys like the idea of a moss monogram?  I do have a second option instead of the empty frame.  It is a smaller frame I picked up from the Goodwill store.

It is smaller.  I would definitely put a larger picture in it or maybe a print.  Which do you like the bigger frame or this smaller.  I know you must be getting tired now but I need you for just one more question.  It is a lamp question.  You see I have only bought about 3 lamps for this house in 10 years.  With the majority of the windows being east/west, we get plenty of light until winter.  We have always used the overhead lighting which you all know isn't that flattering.  So, I've picked up two options for our sofa table.

Initially, I like the taller black one.  But after keeping it there for a day, I think I like the short one.  I'm just not sure about the color.  Here is a closer look.

I was thinking of doing white with a gray dry brush distressed look.  Should I do two lamps on the table?  Which should it be??  So, here is where you jump down and comment your opinions to help a gal out.  Let me just thank you for reading this long post.

$2 Cosco stool

Another auction, another purchase.  I just can't seem to walk away from an auction empty handed.  I had got this little yellow Cosco stool at the auction for only 2 bucks!  Cheap right?!  I guess when no one bids you can get stuff pretty cheap. 

Okay, I know it looks a little rough around the edges but who doesn't ever have a bad hair day (or decade in my case).  Anyways, hubby was nice enough to take it apart for me to spray paint an apple red.  Before I could spray paint, I had to take off the rubber grips on the steps.  They seemed to look as if they were dry rotted.  It took a lot of elbow grease and a lot of Goo Gone to get it all off but finally got it.  Next, the back rest.  With the extra drop cloth material I seem to have accumulated, I thought a little faux grain sack for the back rest would look just right. 

Here she is all painted up.  I could just see her sitting in the corner of a kitchen, couldn't you?

I'm sharing at:

Chalk paint, take 2!

So, my first try with the chalk paint went well but I'm not so sure how I like the wax.  No doubt it is user error.  I picked up this sweet little table for a mere $1.99.  It was just screaming for some chalk paint.

I had read that some pieces being painted Old White may need 2 coats.  This table has a very stubborn stain.  I put three coats on that puppy.  Unfortunately, I have not figured out how to avoid my oh so obvious brush strokes.  I really like furniture to feel smooth so at the moment I am torn over the chalk paint.  I love that there is virtually no prep but I'm not use to seeing so many brush strokes or using the soft waxes.  But I guess nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?!  Anyways, I do like how the paint transformed this little table into something so sweet.

I think I did just the right amount of distressing.  I'm torn whether or not to keep it for a bit or put it in my booth.

Love to know what you think of it!  Drop me a comment.

Sharing over at:

Show and Tell at Blue Cricket Design

  

Fabulous finds

Well, school is out and we have been adjusting to everyone being at home all day.  Yes, that means that little sister just cannot keep from pestering her big bother all day long.  So, I've been referring along with trip to the zoo, going to the movies, and preparing to our trip to Missouri.  We shove off tomorrow.

Before we set sail, I have to share with you some of my latest and greatest finds.  These are finds from the Goodwill outlet, Salvation Army, and my local flea market.  I have been trying to collect some smaller goods to fill my booth.  I have some exciting news on that front but more on that later.  On to the goods.

I think this basket would be great holding blankets.  I could just see cute little flowers potted in the orange teapot.  I wonder what kind of lunch was served up in this vintage lunchbox.  On the far right, I found 2 table leaves.  Just the thing to make a sign with using some chalk paint!

I really loved the tarnished silver I picked up.  I love it just as it is.

This is my favorite find.  This ironstone pitcher I found for $1.  Yes, it is discolored but just look at it.

Maybe you need a closer view.

Look at that beautiful crazing.  Any tips on cleaning the discoloration would be helpful, although I do like it that way.  It has a sense of history about it. 

I'm sharing over at:

    

Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest

Chalk paint project #1

Well, I finally finished my first project with the chalk paint.  I am pleased with the result even if I am still on a learning curve with it.  Let me remind you of the before.

Yes, it is a partial, very heavy headboard with great lines.  It was telling me to make a sign similar to Ballard plaque like this one:

First, I put on two thin coats of old white.  Let me warn you that this paint dries pretty fast but on the plus side I could smell no paint smells at all.  I usually sand in between coats when using latex but didn't with this.  I found that I could see my brush strokes which I don't care for but maybe it makes the sign look more authentic?!  Anyways, I used carbon paper to trace the letters and hand painted using duck egg blue.  I wish I would have stopped here and taken a photo.  I think I really liked it without the aged look but decided to go distressed and aged.  Anyways, I tried out the soft clear wax first.  I think I was a bit afraid to slather it on due to it's price.  After I applied and buffed the clear wax, I applied the dark wax.  I found this to give it an extreme aged look which I'm not for sure that I am found of (yet).  Without further ado:

 

Here is a little bit closer shot:

I would love to know what you think of the final result.  So, please leave a comment and let me know.  I plan on sharing over at:

   
 

I did it!

I did it!  I finally ordered chalk paint.  How could I not considering all the rave reviews it has gotten out in blog land.  I was so excited when it came in just 2 days!

I splurged, hoping I sell a lot in the booth to cover the cost.  I couldn't resist buying old white, duck egg blue, chateau gray, both waxes, and of course the highly recommended wax brush.  I sure hope there is some kind of magic in all of this considering the cost.  So girls, I'm ready to put this stuff to the test and see if it can live up to it's reviews.

So in order to test that whole claim about no prep or priming, I decided to start with a small piece that would normally require both.  Enter my lab rat.  I picked up a part of a headboard at the Goodwill outlet knowing it was a great shape to make some sort of sign.  I'm thinking I'll try to recreate the Ballard plaque. 

I really wanted to reveal it tonight but my daughter started running a fever and looks like she has pink eye (again).  So, the distressing and waxing will have to wait.  I hope to reveal the sign in all it's chalk paint glory within the next 2 days.  Check back to see what I think about the chalk paint results.  Until next time...